Neurotrophins and the primate central nervous system: A minireview |
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Authors: | Motoharu Hayashi |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Primate Research Institute of Kyoto University, Kanrin, Inuyama, 484 Aichi, Japan |
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Abstract: | The central nervous system (CNS) of primates is more complex than the CNS of other mammals. Details of the development and
aging of the primate CNS have recently been revealed by various neurobiological techniques. It has become clear that the primate
CNS has unique characteristics, for example, the capacity for the overproduction and elimination of fibers and synapses. Some
differences have also been found in the distribution of and changes with development in levels of various neuroactive substances.
Recent discoveries of a variety of neurotrophins in the mammalian CNS have led to research on the neurobiology of these molecules
in the primate CNS. The distribution of and changes with development in levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the primate
CNS are closely correlated with the cholinergic system of the basal forebrain. The administration of NGF into the monkey brain
prevents the degeneration of the cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain after axotomy, a result that suggests that neurotrophins
might be very valuable agents for the future treatment of neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
This review is dedicted to Dr. Hans Thoenen. |
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Keywords: | Neurotrophins neuroactive substance primate central nervous system development aging |
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